Muslim Fashion: Challenging Transregional Connectivities between Malaysia and the Arabian Peninsula

Abstract In Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country in Southeast Asia, dynamic market for Muslim fashion has evolved over the past decade, especially concerning abaya , female dress. Malay Malaysian designers, producers and consumers focus on this garment because it represents style of Islamic clothing that is perceived as ‘authentic’. The originates from Arabian Peninsula generally worn by Arabic women with syariah -compliant design commonly simple, loose opaque. Embedded into broader marketising processes halal industry started to adopt material object transformed distinct expression style. original follows rules became colourful decorated This transformative process not only an variation but profoundly transcends powerful social, placial spatial orders within world. s embedded wider dynamics sacred landscaping which considered be ‘centre Islam’ while Malaysia positioned positions itself at margins. However, social actors have shifted constellation towards pushed forefront commercialising Islam through development related market, among other things. Thus, world order, transregional connections lead entangled web meaning-making regarding power structures, principles practices.